Lucky New Year's decorations that are also good to eat

Atami and Ito are among the top producers of daidai oranges in Japan. These two regions are blessed with a warm climate, and the daidais which grow in them are real specialties. In Japanese, "daidai", the name of this kind of indigenous orange, sounds the same as the way you say "for generations" in phrases like "prosper for generations to come". Also, if they don't get picked, daidais will remain on the tree until the following year and get mixed in with new fruit. These two facts led to daidais' being regarded as bringing good luck, and becoming highly prized New Year's decorations. These highly acidic fruits are not well suited to being eaten raw, but their fresh aroma and juicy flavor can be enjoyed by making them into marmalade and "ponzu" (orange vinegar).

Take the JR Ito Line from "Atami Station" of JR Tokaido Shinkansen for approx. 22 minutes, alight at "Ito Station". Take the Tokai bus bound for Kawanako for approx. 16 minutes, alight at "Kawanaguchi" and walk for approx. 11 minutes.